Showing all posts in Korean Schools

Never believe that you can escape surprises even from overseas. I wasn’t looking forward to turning 30, but I figured it will be a day that passes like anything else. I told my friends I don’t want to do anything. I was told no matter what I must have a drink and I begrudgingly agreed to it.Read More

This past winter I decided to be a bit ambitious and work multiple camps during my January break. If I wasn’t doing this I would be sitting at my desk all day staring at walls. I thought it’s a more productive and better opportunity to help out at other schools. It also lets me see other teaching styles and how I can use those new skills to make myself a better teacher.

This was my first year at a new school and I saw my second set of students graduate. My 6th grade babies are moving on to middle school. I dreaded this day for a while as I really enjoyed teaching this group of kids. It is sad to see your students leave, but that is a day that must always come. They were my favorites for the past year and provided a lot of fun and great memories for me.

Everybody that helped teach the 부평고 students at IFTC. What a great group of students and teachers!

I dare to say that last week was one of the best weeks in Korea. It was also one of the most fun camps I have ever taught. Originally, I signed up not knowing what I was getting myself into teaching at an all boys high school camp. But, it turned out to be awesome!

This was my second camp with Jungmyung High School. I was a little worried about what type of camp I needed to do. The teacher in charge originally told me that it needed to be a writing and reading camp. So as usual, I over planned the entire camp.Read More

Sometimes I wonder if I should use myself as an example in class. Whether its good or bad, it certainly proves to be interesting! Last fall when we were learning should and shouldn’t in fifth grade I tried to think of a way to make it interesting. So I made a little cartoon of myself on a diet and asked my students to tell me 5 things I should or shouldn’t do.

Last week, I decided to teach my students about Native Americans. Granted having been an anthropology student and almost attaining a major in Native American Studies, I thought that I needed to make a good presentation. Not the kind that is full of shit that we are taught in school that perpetuates stereotypes, but good solid information that shows these communities alive and thriving. To show the students that there is variety among Native American tribes and that no tribe is alike.Read More

My after school class can be a bit of a challenge as it is elementary level. So coming up with interesting things to teach them is always in the back of my mind. I’m not an expert at most topics, but I try to research each topic to the best of my ability and then teach my students about it.Read More

I never got around to writing about the rest of my time at the high school I was helping out. When my time was over at the school, I was asked if perhaps if I could make it to the contest to watch the students. I said that I would try my best and find out. Luckily, for me, my vice-principal was very kind to me and he let me go to both days of the contest in the afternoon. When I showed up at the school, I was asked to be a judge. I wasn’t expecting this, but it was wonderful to see all the students and how hard they had worked to speak English at a competition in front of their peers. Read More

In May, I went to a meeting about a volunteer English program through the city of Incheon, called Camglish. I am responsible for teaching three students 1 hour a week through google hangouts via webcam. I thought it would be an interesting opportunity and a chance to help students out that no longer had a native, English teacher at their school. I was assigned three third year middle school boys. I have to say there are times when the classes have gone really well and other times that were a complete flop. All three boys have different personalities and interests and may not be that close of friends outside of our camglish class.

We were given a book to use at orientation to help facilitate our lessons with our students. I find it a bit tedious to do book work through a webcam so I asked the students and we decided it will be a conversation based class only. Yesterday, I had class with them and although I try to plan in advance to have material ready sometimes it is not read. Other times they barely talk to me and I am the one doing most of the talking. Sometimes this is okay with me, but yesterday I just wanted the class to end. I enjoy teaching the boys, but I receive little enthusiasm from them. I always ask is there anything you are interested in learning about so that I can teach it to you. So yesterday, one boy said teach something that stimulates interest. I’m not sure where to start on this as they are all different and it is interesting to one and not the other. So now I have a headache to figure out before Tuesday night. I really want to do well with the boys and have them enjoy our class together.

Unfortunately, for now I guess I will just have to deal with it and take it as it goes. I do not know what to do or how to stimulate their interest, but I suppose it will all just work itself out.